Showing up with more people than ADR?

[buttercup10]

Wondering what people have experienced in showing up with more people than you have on your rez? I have an Akerhaus breakfast rez for our October trip, for 4 ppl. I've been checking and there is no availibility for larger parties that morning, so it's not a matter of just cancelling and rebooking a different table/rez. My cast member BIL may want to join us - I know the CM part doesn't matter at the restaurant - so what if he just shows up with us for our party of 4 reservation? Will the only penalty be that we probably will need to wait a little longer to get seated? Thanks for thoughts.

Also - I haven't been to WDW in over a year, and I've seen that people are now saying if you are at a CC reservation restaurant and show up with fewer people than you originally guaranteed, as long as you show up with a partial party, there's no penalty. I found one link from a post to a Disney FAQ that was supposed to assure of this, but I couldn't find the actual reference in the FAQ - anyone know where that no-penalty is written down and can point me? Thanks in advance!!

 

[MADnNOLA]

There are several factors to your first question. The amount of people needed on a reservation is for occupancy/fire code regulations. It also lets the computer assign the correct tops for tables. Right now you have a 4 top table reserved. You will need a six top for five people. This might not be available at your time. So you could run the risk of being turned away with an extra person, have a much longer wait for a free table, or your party could be split up between two tables. If the restaurant is not busy, they may be able to accommodate your group easily.

So many factors

As for the 2nd half of your question. I have never seen the FAQ about a CC guarantee, but I can vouch from personal experience, you are not charged or penalized if part of your party does not show up. Traveling solo, many times I have to make a reservation for 2 instead of 1 because of the glitch in the computer system not liking to find tables for 1 at certain times. When I arrive, I just tell the CM, I am the only one dining, and I have never had any kind of issue. I do this often at Brown Derby.

I think the only issue might be on the prepaid reservations (CRT, HDD) where you might get stuck with a charge for someone that does not show up.

Hope this helps!

 

[TDC Nala]

I found one link from a post to a Disney FAQ that was supposed to assure of this, but I couldn't find the actual reference in the FAQ - anyone know where that no-penalty is written down and can point me? Thanks in advance!!

That language no longer appears on the Disney website, so you're not going to be able to find it written down anywhere official. But unless it is a prepaid reservation, they will not charge you so long as someone honors the reservation.